Elbow joint angle training aid

ABSTRACT

The embodiment of this athletic training device is for restricting the flexion of the elbow joint of the arm. A stretchable arm sleeve  16  is designed to encircle the arm  22  to be trained. A segment of loop Velcro  18  is adhered to the sleeve starting at the elbow joint  24  and extending toward the wrist on the dorsal surface of the lower arm  14.  A separate 90 degree training block  10  made of polyethylene foam with hook Velcro  20  adhered is fastened to the loop Velcro  18  on the stretchable arm sleeve  16  to provide a physical barrier for flexing the elbow joint  24.  The athlete can use the device for training in multiple sports. The most common use for the device is for limiting the elbow joint  24  angle to 90 degrees while training for basketball, golf and sprinting or running. The device does not restrict extension of the arm  22.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/042,750, filed Apr. 6, 2008, by the present inventor, whichis incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to an athletic training device that limitsmovement of the elbow joint of the arm.

2. Prior Art

Several training aids that limit elbow joint angle during athletictraining are represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,877 to Brownell, U.S.Pat. No. 5,865,695 to Mahala, Qualben, and Meurer, U.S. Pat. No.5,651,743 to Stephen, Pryor, and Williams, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,152to Brannen. All of these training aids are designed to limit the elbowjoint angle during athletic movement of either basketball or golf.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,877 to Brownell and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,695 toMahala, Qualben, and Meurer are designed to assist a basketball playerin developing the proper form when shooting a basketball. Specifically,it addresses limiting the elbow joint angle. Both of these devices userigid materials and multiple straps to affix the device to the arm. Dueto the need to position multiple straps, these devices are difficult toproperly position on the arm. The hard nature of the materials usedcould cause injury to others if the device were worn during scrimmagesor drills. The weight of these devices creates undo stress on theshooting arm. The rigidity of these devices can be uncomfortable for theuser. These devices are cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear as theyextend the entire length of the arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,743 is designed to assist a basketball player indeveloping the proper form when shooting a basketball. Specifically, itaddresses limiting the elbow joint angle. This device employs a piece of“L” shaped plastic affixed to the bicep with a Velcro strap. The deviceis made of a rigid material that could cause injury to others if thedevice were worn during scrimmages or drills. The plastic element ofthis device is prone to fracture under stress. The hard plastic can alsobe uncomfortable for the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,152 is designed to assist the golfer in developingthe proper elbow angle when swinging a golf club. This device employs atriangular shaped hollow piece of plastic affixed to the bicep with aVelcro strap. The plastic element of the device is very rigid and canpinch during use. Due to the shape and rigidity of the plastic triangle,users with larger arms can be restricted to angle less than 90 degrees.The weight of this device can create a less than lifelike feel.

The device noted in this application has several advantages over theprior art. The device is very light and extremely comfortable. Thesleeve is comprised of stretchable and adaptable fabric. This allowseach user to get a personalized, comfortable fit. The foam block is verylight and soft yet provides just enough resistance for trainingpurposes. The entire device is machine washable for improve hygiene overthe prior art. The device can be worn while training or scrimmaging withother athletes without the risk of injuring someone with the device. Thesleeve provided with this device can be used without the training blockfor muscle compression and moisture wicking during training andcompetitive events. These and other advantages will become apparent fromconsideration of the following description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The embodiment the elbow joint training device is comprised of an armsleeve made of stretchable, moisture wicking fabric with a strategicallyadhered loop Velcro patch and a foam training block with hook Velcroadhered. The training block is designed in the shape of a right angletriangle. The athlete simply slides the sleeve on the arm to be trainedand affixes the training block via the Velcro adhesion. This gives theathlete a lightweight, comfortable, and safe device that still providesenough resistance for proper elbow joint training.

The object of this device is to give athletes a versatile aid fortraining the elbow joint angle without limiting the arm motion of theother aspects of the sporting movement. Prior to the start of trainingor practice session, the athlete simply slides the customizedstretchable sleeve on their arm and affixes the desired angle trainingblock to the sleeve. By wearing the device, the elbow joint of theathlete will have a physical obstruction that prevents the athlete fromusing an elbow joint angle that is detrimental to performance.Consistent use of the device will allow the athlete to develop musclememory of the proper elbow joint angle thus leading to enhancedperformance.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 90 Degree Foam Training Block 12 Upper Arm 14 Lower Arm 16Stretchable Arm Sleeve 18 Loop Velcro 20 Hook Velcro 22 Arm 24 ElbowJoint 26 Lower Arm Attachment Surface 28 Upper Arm Contact Surface 30Hand of Non Training Arm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the elbow joint angle training aid secured on the arm 22 ofthe user. The stretchable arm sleeve 16 encircles the upper arm 12 andthe lower arm 14. The 90 degree foam training block 10 is attached tothe stretchable arm sleeve 16 through the adhesion of the loop Velcro 18on the stretchable arm sleeve 16 and the hook Velcro 20 on the 90 degreefoam training block 10.

FIG. 2 shows the stretchable arm sleeve 16 with the loop Velcro 18adhered to the stretchable arm sleeve 16. The stretchable arm sleeve 16is designed to encircle the arm 22 to cover the upper arm 12 and thelower arm 14. The loop Velcro 18 is adhered to the sleeve so that whenthe stretchable arm sleeve 16 is placed on the arm 22 of the user theloop Velcro 18 will be positioned on the dorsal side of the lower arm 14with the superior border of the loop Velcro 18 at the elbow joint 24.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the 90 degree foam training block 10. The 90degree foam training block 10 is made in the shape of a right angletriangle. A 90 degree angle is formed at the merger of the lower armattachment surface 26 and the upper arm contact surface 28. Hook Velcro20 is adhered to the upper arm contact surface 28.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the 90 degree foam training block 10 facing theupper arm contact surface 28. Hook Velcro 20 is adhered to the upper armcontact surface 28.

Operation—FIG. 5

FIG. 5 shows the device being positioned for use. The stretchable armsleeve 16 encircles the arm 22. The arm 22 is positioned with an elbowjoint 24 angle of 90 degrees. The upper arm contact surface 28 of 90degree foam training block 10 is placed on the upper arm 12. The hand ofthe non training arm 30 is used to hold the 90 degree training block 10on the upper arm 12. The hand of the non training arm 30 advances the 90degree training block 10 to the lower arm 14 to create an adhesion ofthe hook Velcro 20 of the lower arm attachment surface 26 to the loopVelcro 18 of the stretchable arm sleeve 16.

Conclusion, Ramification, Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the elbow joint angle training aidprovides the user of the device with a versatile aid for training theelbow joint angle without limiting the arm motion of the other aspectsof the sporting movement. By using the device, the elbow joint of theuser will have a physical obstruction that prevents the athlete fromlearning an elbow joint angle that is detrimental to performance.Consistent use of the elbow joint angle training aid will allow theathlete to develop muscle memory of the proper elbow joint angle thusleading to enhanced performance.

The device will train a basketball player develop the proper elbow jointangle yet still allow the user to complete the shooting motion andproject the basketball toward the goal. The result of proper andconsistent use of this device will be an increased percentage of madeshots by the player. The device can be used to improve a player's freethrow, jump shot and set shot. The device provides the user with asimple and comfortable aid to learn the proper elbow joint angle neededto be a successful basketball shooter.

The device will train a golfer to develop the proper dominant arm elbowjoint angle yet still allow the user to complete a full golf swing. Theresult of proper and consistent use of this device will be more properswing arc and increased ball flight distance after striking the ballwith the club. The training block at 90 degrees can be used by a golferto learn proper elbow joint angle and thus improve his ability to swingthe golf club properly.

The device will train a runner or sprinter to maintain the proper elbowjoint angle of 90 degrees throughout their sprint or run. The runner orsprinter would wear a training aid on both arms while training. Bymaintaining the proper arm angle, the runner or sprinter will createmuscle memory at the proper arm angle for ideal performance. Energywasted through excessive arm motion can lead to decrease in runningspeed and increased fatigue. Consistent maintenance of an elbow jointangle of 90 degrees in both arms while running or sprinting will allowfor maximum performance for the athlete.

The purpose of the elbow joint angle training aid is to provide athleteswith a simple, comfortable, safe and easy to use device that allows themto develop proper elbow joint angle for the specific sports movementthey are trying to learn and develop. The elbow joint angle training aidis an economical device that can be used by people of all ages andgenders.

The above description contains many specifications. They provideillustrations of an embodiment but should not be interpreted as limitingthe scope of the embodiment. The above description exemplifies oneembodiment thereof. Other variations are possible. For example, thestretchable sleeve 16 could encircle just the lower arm 14. Also, theloop Velcro 18 could be adhered to the stretchable sleeve 16 in the areaof the upper arm 12. Therefore, the scope should be determined by theclaims and any legal equivalents, not the embodiment illustrated.

1. An elbow joint angle training aid for use during athletic and sportstraining comprising: A stretchable arm sleeve with adhesive materialattached; A training block made of foam in the shape of a right angletriangle with an adhesive material attached.
 2. The training block ofclaim 1 is an open cell foam.
 3. The training block of claim 1 is aclosed cell foam.
 4. The training block of claim 1 is enclosed with afabric.
 5. The training block of claim 1 is a rubber material.
 6. Thetraining block of claim 1 is a synthetic gel material.
 7. The trainingblock of claim 1 is enclosed with an air impermeable fabric and theblock is made of a closed cell foam, an open cell foam, synthetic gelmaterial, or a rubber material.
 8. The training block of claim 1 hookVelcro length is within the range of 1 to 20 inches and the length ofupper arm contact surface is within the range of 1 to 15 inches.
 9. Thetraining block of claim 1 has an angle formed by the merger of the hookVelcro surface and the upper arm contact surface that is within therange of 45 to 180 degrees.
 10. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1has the adhesive surface located on the upper arm of the sleeve.
 11. Thestretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 is made of a neoprene fabric laminatedwith an adhesive fabric.
 12. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1encircles only the upper arm.
 13. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1encircles only the lower arm.
 14. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1straps around the arm and fastens upon itself.
 15. The stretchable armsleeve of claim 1 straps around the upper arm and fastens upon itself.16. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 straps around the lower armand fastens upon itself.
 17. The training block of claim 1 ispermanently affixed to the stretchable arm sleeve of claim
 1. 18. Thestretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 with adhesive material affixed to thesleeve in any area on the sleeve.
 19. The training block of claim 1shaped like a square.
 20. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like arectangle.
 21. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like an obtusetriangle.
 22. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like an acutetriangle.
 23. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like anequilateral triangle.
 24. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 and thetraining pad of claim 1 used to train human arm, wrist, and joint anglepositions during athletic and sports training.
 25. The stretchable armsleeve of claim 1 and the training pad of claim 1 used to train the armposition relative to the torso of the user for athletic and sportstraining.